Rosé: Consume Cold, And Immediately

As we turn to the category of “everything old is new again,” the subject of rosés is most definitely at the top of the list.

Many of us remember the sweet Portuguese rosés that were the height of sophistication for college students in the 60s and 70s. Then there was the white Zinfandel boom that helped turn a fairly obscure grape into one of the United States most popular. Today, many sophisticated wine drinkers are turning to dry rosés as their wine of choice in the warmer months of spring and summer.

It should be noted that almost all rosés are produced from red grapes. By limiting the amount of time that the grape skins are in contact with the juice just after crushing, the wines come out pink rather than red. Leaving the skins in contact with the juice adds flavor to wine as well as color; so most rosés are considerably lighter than their red counterparts.  Because most wine drinkers prefer a dry wine, most rosés today are produced in a dry rather than sweet style.

Rosés from southern France are the original dry rosés. Due to the warmer weather in southern France, they are a natural accompaniment to summer meals in the region. Bandol rosé from Provence is one of the most recognized and acclaimed rosés in the world. Tavel from the Rhone and Anjou from the Loire are other widely recognized French rosés.

Although the French may have been the first to bring dry rosé to the attention of wine drinkers, they are certainly not the last. Dry rosés are now available from every winemaking region in the world. The wines all share a fairly similar flavor profile. They deliver light cherry or black fruit flavors with just a hint of acidity and no oak.

They should be consumed cold and are really meant for current enjoyment. They are not meant for aging or serious evaluation of the subtle flavor differences between the different producers. So pull up a lawn chair, a blanket, or a picnic bench and pour yourself a nice, refreshing glass of rosé.

(Newtown resident and wine enthusiast Steve Small is the general manager at Yankee Wine & Spirits on Queen Street.)